NEWS

Published on May 29, 1995.

ACCOUNT ACTION

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., and Hallmark Cards, Kansas City, Mo., have picked Young & Rubicam, New York, and Leo Burnett USA, Chicago, as finalists for the account for their proposed venture to use photo-imaging technology on T-shirts, cards and other products, now testing in Arlington Heights, Ill.Eastern Bank, Lynn, Mass., will review its $1.5 million account, recently resigned by Mullen, based in Wenham, after it won the $15 million account of Baybanks, Waltham, from Korey, Kay & Partners, New York.

American Red Cross, Washington, is reviewing agencies for an awareness campaign. J. Walter Thompson USA, New York, handles the pro bono account and has been invited to participate. Also, American Red Cross Blood Services, Rosslyn, Va., to Arnold Advertising, McLean, for a campaign designed to increase awareness about the need to replenish blood supplies.

Timberland Co., Stratham, Mass., to BBDO Worldwide, New York, from Mullen, Wenham, Mass., for the outdoor footwear and apparel marketer's $20 million account.

House Commerce Committee approved a Republican-backed bill that would lift restrictions on local telephone competition and cable TV rates, while allowing a single company to own TV stations reaching half the nation. Lobbyists expect the House will vote in favor of the bill this summer. Democrats have raised concerns about monopolies in TV station ownership; a similar bill being considered by the Senate isn't expected to pass.

Radio Advertising Bureau reported first-quarter revenue jumped 13% to $1.2 billion for national and local spot advertising over the same period in 1994. National spot led the gain with a 23% rise to $258.5 million, while local revenue rose 11% to $960.4 million. Combined revenue for March was up 10%, with a 14% rise in national spot and a 9% lift in local advertising.

The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer was sold to McClatchy Newspapers, Sacramento, Calif., for $250 million and assumption of about $123 million in debt. The price includes six weekly newspapers, Business North Carolina magazine and the News & Observer's NandO online service on the World Wide Web.

Landmark Communications, Norfolk, Va., will launch the first 24-hour, Spanish-language travel channel for Latin America this October. Travel Channel Latin America will broadcast from Miami, featuring travel and infotainment programming. The ad-supported channel will target business and leisure travelers ages 25 to 54. is working out the last details of a deal to buy Western Communications, the cable subsidiary of the Chronicle Publishing Co., for a reported $600 million in TCI stock, the San Francisco Chronicle has reported.